Saudi Arabia
White House offers a revised mineral deal, but US-Ukraine relations still in limbo
The White House has offered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy a revised version of its deal to exploit rare earth minerals that Kyiv rejected last week because the terms were too harsh.
Saudi Arabia launches new official riyal symbol
Saudi Arabia unveiled a new currency symbol for its riyal on February 20, marking a historic move to strengthen the national currency's identity.
Zelenskiy, Trump take verbal swipes at each other as relations between Washington and Kyiv nosedive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump, accusing the US president of being trapped in a “disinformation bubble” over the war in Ukraine.
Trump’s mineral deal for Ukraine “worse than Versailles”, reports The Daily Telegraph
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy ordered his staff not to sign the proposed deal that would hand the US control over Ukraine's raw materials and key infrastructure.
Zelenskiy freezes US minerals deal, reaches out to Arab nations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has frozen a proposed concession to mine Ukraine’s considerable mineral resources after the US side offered little in return and is travelling in the Middle East to look for new partners.
US and Russian officials hold landmark peace talks in Saudi Arabia as Ukraine remains excluded
Senior US and Russian officials have concluded extensive talks at the Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – the most significant diplomatic engagement between the two powers since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia's ride-hailing market soars, generating $533m for drivers
Strong growth reported despite the launch of new public transport projects in Riyadh.
European leaders clash over peacekeepers in Ukraine at Paris meeting
Argument highlights the lack of consensus on how to respond to US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace talks with Russia, which have kicked off in Riyadh.
Brazil to host expanded BRICS summit in July amid US dollar tensions
Brazil will host leaders from the BRICS nations and their new members in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, as the burgeoning bloc faces growing pressure from the US over plans to reduce dollar dependence in trade.
Saudi NHC and PIF sign supply chain cooperation agreement
The National Housing Company (NHC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to strengthen real estate supply chain initiatives.
Saudi Arabia spearheads counter-proposal to Trump's Gaza displacement plan
Saudi officials are rushing to counter US-Israeli efforts to remove Palestinians from Gaza.
Saudi infrastructure needs $1 trillion investment over next decade, says economy minister
Investments needed to support Saudi Arabia's rapidly expanding economy.
US chip firm Groq secures $1.5bn Saudi expansion as Paris weighs AI rules
US semiconductor startup Groq has secured a $1.5bn commitment to expand its artificial intelligence chip deliveries to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia announces $14.9bn tech investments, DeepSeek opens in Gulf
Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek has begun operating through Aramco Digital's data centres in Dammam.
Turkey could set up airbases in Syria’s desert, brief Damascus sources
Speculation over Ankara’s intentions mounts as interim Syrian president al-Sharaa meets Turkish leader Erdogan.
NEOM food unit Topian signs SAR1.9bn Jazan aquaculture deal
NEOM food company Topian has signed a SAR1.9bn ($507mn) investment agreement with Jazan City for Primary and Manufacturing Industries to establish a major aquaculture project, during the Saudi International Marine Exhibition in Riyadh on Feb 4.
COMMENT: Everyone wants a piece of the post-war Syria pie
Syria’s rapid political shift and bold economic reforms are drawing global investors and diplomats to Damascus. Can the new leadership turn post-conflict ambition into lasting stability?
Arab countries reject Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan
Arab foreign ministers on February 3 unanimously rejected US President Donald Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan.
Saudi crown prince receives Syrian President al-Sharaa in Riyadh
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia for the first time as Riyadh seeks to capitalise on the collapse of the al-Assad regime in December.
NEOM's The Line to launch vertical construction phase in 2025
Saudi Arabia's futuristic city project The Line is set to begin vertical construction by the end of 2025, the organisation announced.